Williams to remain Senate president after Senate Republicans 'confirm' their leadership for 2012

Senate Republicans have decided not to change any leadership positions for the upcoming session after their annual retreat, Republican Senator Jimmy Higdon told Pure Politics on Thursday.

The group’s two-day retreat wrapped up late Thursday evening after meetings about the budget, a potential caucus agenda and a discussion about their leadership.

Higdon told Pure Politics that the caucus voted to “confirm their leadership” and that there were no plans to take future votes on leadership this upcoming session.

Williams, who has been Senate President for more than a decade, was handily defeated in this year’s gubernatorial election against Gov. Steve Beshear. That lead to speculation that Williams could lose his Senate leadership position.

Also at the meeting, Higdon said the caucus discussed a potential agenda, which he said could be released before the session. But they also “agreed to disagree” on some issues that couldn’t get full caucus support.

The meeting also included talks about the budget and redistricting, Higdon said.